CSUF's student veterans march in city's annual parade

William Merriam, of Fullerton, served a secret mission in WWII but died in France. COURTESY OF NEOLA AND AL MIRRIAM

Veteran who served secret mission died overseas

Fullerton resident Neola Merriam never met brother-in-law and former member of the United States Air Corps William Merriam. However, in remembrance of Veteran's Day, she shares his story of being one of 12 men sent on a secret mission during WWII.

If living today, my brother-in-law would be 96 years old. Before the war, he joined the air corps. President Roosevelt felt that the war was coming, so he ordered the air corps to send 12 men on a secret mission to England to learn to fly against the Germans. William Merriam was one of those men chosen to do this. Before returning from England, the group had tea with the king and queen of England.

After teaching our men how to fly against the Germans, he returned to England and was a Lt. Col. and flew with a fighter squadron. He was shot down and killed in France while his flight group was clearing the way of troops and fighting equipment for the landing of our troops in Normandy. A French family buried him in a small French village. Three women would place flowers on his grave. Germans told them to stop, which they didn't. So they were shot and killed.

After the war, my parents had the choice of bringing Bill's body home, or have him interned in the American cemetery in Normandy, where he is buried.

Bill was married and had a daughter. He was 26 years old at his death. Bill attended the class of 1935 at Fullerton Union High School and two years at Fullerton College before going to Berkley.

– Submitted by Neola Merriam, Fullerton

On Monday, Veterans Day, Cal State Fullerton’s Student Veterans Association (SVA) will march down Harbor Boulevard in the City of Fullerton’s annual Veterans Day Parade.

The parade is a celebration for those who have sworn to protect this nation from enemies both foreign and domestic. Veterans from all wars leading back to WWII will be in attendance. The national celebration is a tradition which stretches back to the end of WWI.

On Nov. 11, 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect. The Treaty of Versailles officially ended the war seven months later; however, congress would recognize Nov. 11 as Armistice Day, the day which celebrated the end of WWI. On June 1, 1954, in observance of those who fought in WWII and Korea, the national holiday changed to Veterans Day, a day which honored veterans throughout this nation’s history (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs).

From Monday to today, in the spirit of the upcoming holiday, SVA honored the university’s own veterans on their Wall of Heroes, a showcase which displayed the photos and service information of the university’s student, staff, and faculty veterans. These triangular structures, displayed in front of Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Library, were designed to signify the defense of freedom in the air, on land, and at sea, as well as courage, strength, and valor. The wall’s national colors exemplified the veterans’ enduring patriotism and willingness to sacrifice for their country.

To show further patriotism, and honor for their fellow brothers and sisters in uniform, SVA will join other veterans in the community at 10:30 a.m. Monday for the start of the Veterans Day Parade. Also in attendance will be JROTC from the Fullerton high schools. In a salute to the nation’s veterans, planes from Air Combat USA, based out of the Fullerton Airport, will lead off the parade.

The parade will begin at Fullerton’s Downtown Plaza, located on Wilshire Avenue, east of Harbor Boulevard, and will end three-quarters of a mile down Harbor at Hillcrest Park. All veterans are welcome to join the march. Others within the community are welcome to show their support along Harbor Boulevard, as well as at Hillcrest Park, where a ceremony will follow. This year’s ceremonial speaker will be Major General Megan P. Tatu, Commander, 79th Sustainment Support Command, JFTB Los Alamitos.

Those who are interested in learning more about Cal State Fullerton’s Student Veterans Association can visit fullerton.edu/veterans. Events are held throughout the academic year. Community involvement and support is always welcome.

– Steve Zappa served in the U.S. Marine Corps and is an Iraq War Veteran. He currently studies English as an undergraduate at California State University, Fullerton and is due to graduate May of 2014.

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